Haematological studies on normal lactating Indian water buffaloes

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Hematology
• Animal Physiology
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Establishing normal hematological reference ranges is crucial for diagnosing diseases in livestock.
• Murrah buffaloes are a vital dairy breed in India, yet comprehensive hematological data for healthy lactating individuals is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the normal hematological parameters in clinically healthy lactating Murrah buffaloes.
• To provide a baseline dataset for future comparative hematological studies in this species.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 50 clinically normal lactating Murrah buffaloes.
• Standard hematological techniques were used to analyze parameters including red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and white blood cell differentials.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine the range and mean (± standard deviation) for each parameter.

Main Results:

• Established reference ranges for various hematological parameters, including red blood cells (5.07–8.27 million/µL), hemoglobin (9–13.5 g/dL), and white blood cells (6250–13,050/µL).
• Identified species-specific characteristics such as erythrocyte size similar to cattle, a low icterus index, a notable erythrocyte sedimentation rate, absence of reticulocytes, and a lymphocyte predominance over neutrophils.

Conclusions:

• The study provides comprehensive hematological reference values for lactating Murrah buffaloes.
• These findings are essential for accurate health assessment and disease diagnosis in Murrah buffalo populations.